If you’re having troubles, see How to Register as a Volunteer for information about getting all of these completed.
All of these items MUST be completed before we can approve you to referee and accrue points for your team.
If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]
Resources
We wanted to give some resources to those who may be new or inexperienced as well (or even those who’ve been with us for a while and didn’t know the resources we have. Going through these can give more insight about AYSO’s National Referee Program and tips on different ways to referee.
- IFAB Laws of the Game
- Region 50’s Referee Guidelines - HERE
- AYSO National Referee Program - HERE
- Certification Upgrades - Click Here
We would like to encourage all our referees to consider greater expanding their knowledge about refereeing. We appreciate our referee volunteers that go above and beyond to ensure the kids get a quality experience in Redlands AYSO. - Advice to Referees - Click Here
Referees are looking for a deeper explanation to the Laws of the Game and how they might consider managing in-game situations. - Referee Talk - Click Here
These are actual Redlands Refs. When Referees want to talk and share experiences they've seen or gone through. We would like to hear about them. - Pregame Discussion - Click Here
Referees should and are highly recommended to do a pregame discussion. This will help the referees manage the game as a team. Check-out our suggested topics to discuss with your fellow referees before your game.
In addition to these great resources, we also encourage you to message us via email to help you with anything you need. The Referee Administration team is here to help and guide you to a successful game outcome.
Referee Mentoring
For those who are registered and need help taking that first step, consider getting a mentor. The AYSO National Referee Program has developed the Referee Mentor Program as a level of support to give a helping hand to new and less experienced referees, youth referees, and referees looking to upgrade their badge level. You may have already seen mentors out there helping out with games. They are essential to helping out with growth and retaining referees. If you see one out there, feel free to say hi and introduce yourself. They’re there to help you! They're out there giving advice to referees and doing observations for refs who are upgrading to Intermediate Referees.
To request a mentor, you can click here or you can find the link in the CGI Referee Scheduler Page.
Referee Points Breakdown
As we mentioned before, for a team to be eligible for Area Playoffs (usually held in Beaumont or Hemet), a team must have a minimum of 20 ref points. A team may not be eligible if they do not meet this requirement. The only way to get points is to be a current and registered referee, sign up for games, and show up. Here is a breakdown of how many points a game is worth:
- Center Referee U10/U12/U14 – 2 Points
- Assistant Referee U10/U12/U14 – 1 Point
- Center Referee U16/U19 (Needs approval of Referee Admin) – 3 Points
- Assistant Referee U16/U19 (Needs approval of Referee Admin) – 2 Points
Some common questions:
How many Referee Points does my team need to qualify for Regional Playoffs (Redlands)?
Teams need at least 20 referee points to qualify for Regional Playoffs and provide 3 certified referees. Questions regarding duties and responsibilities for Redlands Regional Playoffs should be directed to your division commissioner (https://www.ayso50.org/Default.aspx?tabid=853284).
How many Referee Points does my team need to qualify for AREA Playoffs (Redlands or outside hosted location)?
Teams need at least 20 referee points to qualify for AREA playoffs and provide 3 certified referees. AREA Playoffs are tournament style games that compete against teams from outside of our region such as Hemet, Beaumont, Mountains, Neuvo ect. These games tend to be very competitive and fun for the players, coaches and spectators.
Adult Referee Incentives for U10-U19 Games
15 Points (Incentive #1)
25 Points (Incentive #2)
Adult Referees will receive their incentives at the end of the season.
Youth Referee Incentives for U10-U19 Games (Youth Referees must be 2 years older than the division they referee.)
12 Points (Incentive)
Youth Referees will receive their incentives at the end of the season.
Referee Points and Incentives - Click Here
Reminder
All referees MUST have all of these requirements to be able to referee. Please let us now if you have any questions about any of these. You should not have to pay for anything out of pocket…these are all covered by the region.
FAQs
- How many Referee Points can I earn for my team each week/weekend?
- There is no limit as to how many games you can referee and will receive full point credit for each game you complete. ***Limits may be set at the referee admin's discretion.
- Some teams may have referees that represent more than one team. Some referees aren't always available each week but can referee many games every other week. We appreciate the time our referees dedicate to our program and want to allow them the opportunity to earn their team's referee points when available.
- Why are center referee (CR) points more than assistant referee (AR) points?
- We acknowledge the CR and AR(s) are equally important roles in managing a match, however, it's the CR's responsibility making final decisions that enforce and apply the laws of the game.
- Why are U16/U19 games more points than U10/U12/U14?
- Higher level games require a higher level of game management
- The length of a U16/U19 match far exceeds the time of a U10/U12/U14 match and because qualified referees are needed for these matches, we award more points for the time and effort.
- Why do I need the Referee Admin's approval to do U16/U19?
- Redlands AYSO wants to ensure the best and most qualified referees are officiating these matches.
- I'm interested in refereeing U16/U19, how do I get approval?
- What is the Build-out Line (BOL) in the U10 game?
- The build-out line promotes playing the ball out of the back in a less pressured setting. For more information on the Build Out line, watch this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY408eOnAW4).
- I don't know anything about the game.
- Many AYSO referees understood little about soccer when they first volunteered. All we ask of you is a little of your time and we will train you. The training can be done a little at a time or all at once, whatever is most convenient and available. AYSO has a referee training program that many consider being the best you will find anywhere in the world and can be completed in short evening sessions over an extended time or all at once in a full-day training course. We believe that, with training, your knowledge, appreciation, and enjoyment of the game will increase. Look on the AYSO.org website for a list of referee training courses and the times allotted for each. Also, Safe Haven is mandatory for any new referee.
- I don't have the time.
- We do not ask our referees to obligate themselves to be constantly available to referee. What we need is a little help. Referees are free to choose the games they can do. They can be scheduled at their convenience, possibly just before or after the game their child is playing.
- I don't think I could put up with the behavior of some coaches and spectators.
- It’s good to hear you say that! We do not want our referees to put up with bad behavior. Regions have strict policies governing such behavior and we are strongly committed to these policies. We have very few problems. As a referee, we can teach you how to deal with situations in a dignified and appropriate manner. You can help maintain the AYSO philosophies of Positive Coaching and Good Sportsmanship while setting a good example for our impressionable young players.
- I'm not the right kind of person to be a referee. I'd be embarrassed.
- To be the "right kind of person" to referee AYSO games all you need is to enjoy watching kids have fun playing soccer. We can teach you the rest. If you care about kids you will make a good AYSO referee. There is no need to feel embarrassed about making mistakes because we are all volunteers and even our most experienced referees were beginners at some point and they all grew from their mistakes.
- I can't afford the equipment.
- Don't worry about the expense; most AYSO Regions will provide a uniform and most of the necessary equipment.
- I’m too old.
- As long as you can think and move around, you can do it. AYSO has referees of all ages. One of the reasons they keep doing it is because it keeps them young! You would start in our youngest divisions where the fields are smaller and the games are shorter. You can progress from there if you want. Potentially, every division needs referees.
- I’m too young.
- Regional Referees and Assistant Referees only have to be 12 years old. There are thousands of boys and girls around the country who referee.
- I don't think I could keep up with the players. Some of them are pretty fast.
- Don’t worry, there are all levels of speed in soccer. The older age division games, with the faster players, are handled by fitter and more experienced referees. There are plenty of younger division games on smaller fields where you would be able to keep up. Refereeing is a great way to get a little exercise and have fun at the same time.
- I don't think I could handle the responsibilities of the referee.
- In time, you will develop the confidence to referee. You can also provide vital assistance to the referee by being an assistant referee. Several qualified volunteers only work as assistant referees. Every good referee will tell you that having good assistant referees makes all the difference in a game and twice as many of them are needed.
Hopefully we can all come together and make it another enjoyable season for the kids and each other. We look forward to hearing from you and getting out on the fields with you! Get to know your referee administrators! We really do appreciate all the help we can get!
Best,
Regional Referee Administrative Team
If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]